Francis Scott Key Quotes

In these confused times, the role of classical music is at the very core of the struggle to reassert cultural and ethical values that have always characterized our country and for which we have traditionally been honored and respected outside our shores.

Integrity, a firm adherence to the highest moral and ethical standards, is essential to the life of a true Latter-day Saint.

Are we a Christian nation now? It's doubtful. But did we start out as one? Without question.

The Philippines, it might be said, is a country in search of an identity.

A nation must be embraced, rehabilitated and expressed as a tangible sign of human creativity and as an integral element of mankind's heritage.

So far as regards their moral character, the Finns have as little cause for reproach as any other people.

There's a lot of America that's Christian. I would not describe us, though, on the whole, as a Christian nation.

Iranians defend and present their Islamic and Iranian identity to other people worldwide.

America should function as a Christian nation.

I think the people at my record label know I'm a Christian and again, I've been really blessed that I've never had to get into a head-butt war over moral standards or anything like that.

A nation is a work of art and a work of time.

We should not check American ideals at the door when we engage in discussions with other nations.

It is nationalism which engenders nations, and not the other way round.

No nation is formed within a night, one generation's era of even two. A nation can be described as the continuous string of many generations that time, this pitiless, thoughtless sword of nature, separates their physical connections along the course of their history.

Nationality is the first great object—a Nationality which will not only raise our people from their poverty … but inflame them and purify them with a lofty and heroic love of country… a Nationality which may embrace Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter… the Irishman of a hundred generations and the stranger who is within our gates… a Nationality which would be recognized by the world and sanctified by wisdom, virtue, and prudence

For more than 1000 years our spiritual traditions and common values have been nurtured and begotten here. Today, as we restore the value of patriotism, historical memory and cultural tradition, we are seeking firmer bonds with Mount Athos.

Americans generally regard themselves as belonging to an exceptional nation. And in terms of living in a religiously tolerant and enormously diverse country, Americans can certainly take some justified pride.

I will be the first to admit that the sanctity of life and the preservation of religious freedom are not even among the top ten concerns of most voters. But those issues should be of primary importance to those who call themselves Christians.

I have watched constantly that in our work the highest moral and spiritual standards are upheld, whether my productions deal with fable or with stories of living action.

Nationalism as we know it, is the result of a form of state-sponsored branding.

All good men are international. Nearly all bad men are cosmopolitan. If we are to be international we must be national.

If throughout your life you abstain from murder, theft, fornication, perjury, blasphemy, and disrespect toward your parents, church, and your king, you are conventionally held to deserve moral admiration even if you have never done a single kind, generous or useful action. This very inadequate notion of virtue is an outcome of taboo morality, and has done untold harm.

There will be no true freedom without virtue, no true science without religion, no true industry without the fear of God and love to your fellow citizens.

A character standard is far more important than even a gold standard. The success of all economic systems is still dependent upon both righteous leaders and righteous people. In the last analysis, our national future depends upon our national character that is, whether it is spiritually or materially minded.

There flows throughout our whole history a stream of humanity, of generosity, of tolerance, so broad, so powerful, and so pure that it would be vain indeed to look for a similar one in the past of any other European country.